History of Rush County Indiana Brant & Fuller Chicago 1888 Page Surnames mentioned in this biography are: Collins, Bentley, Jacob F. DOWNEY, one of Rush County’s most successfulteachers, is a native of this county, having been born in Posey Township,December 15, 1859. He is the older of two Sons born to James H and LucindaDowney, a history of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared uponthe farm and in winter attended the district school in which he received a goodknowledge of the common branches. Later on he attended a Normal          School at Carthage, during twosessions, and at nineteen years of age he took up the avocation of a teacher,teaching his first term where he had previously attended school. This hasfurnished his winter’s employment now for the first eight years and some ideaof          his success may be had fromthe fact that all of his teaching has been in but two districts, having taughtthree terms in one and five in the other. He was united in marriage September27, 1882, to Miss Mary I. Collins, daughter of William and Martha A. (Bentley)Collins. She was born in Posey Township, January 1 2, 1864.  They are the parents of one child: ClarenceE., born August 19, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Downey are members of the Christian Church.  In politics the former is a Democrat. Heowns an eighty-acre farm in Posey Township, most of which is in cultivation. Heis an efficient and progressive teacher.